I’m taking applications for algae turf

[Miami Reef]

Hello,

My algae scrubber is only growing slime algae. Someone told me I should keep cleaning it off every week, and I will do so.

However, I wanted to make an interview for algae turf growth. If you can grow healthy, green algae in a waterflow-style scrubber, please post pictures.

I may or may not request a “sample” for “research purposes.”

In the next post, I will describe examples of the qualifications. You *may* need a resume for this…

 

[Garf]

Hello,

My algae scrubber is only growing slime algae. Someone told me I should keep cleaning it off every week, and I will do so.

However, I wanted to make an interview for algae turf growth. If you can grow healthy, green algae in a waterflow-style scrubber, please post pictures.

I may or may not request a “sample” for “research purposes.”

In the next post, I will describe examples of the qualifications. You *may* need a resume for this…

LOL. Be careful what you wish for. Squishing a foreign algae onto a screen and washings thousands of living tiny fragments into your tank, may not have the outcome you desire.

 

[Miami Reef]

This is the type I’m looking to see

 

[Miami Reef]

LOL. Be careful what you wish for. Squishing a foreign algae onto a screen and washings thousands of living tiny fragments into your tank, may not have the outcome you desire.

lol

You do make a decent point.


I would still like to see what other people are cooking up. It may or may not be used for “experimental purposes.”


On another note, can one grow Cheato in a waterfall-style algae scrubber? Maybe just remove the screen and let the water trickle over it?

I found this photo online, and it looked interesting. I’m not entirely sure how it works.

 

[exnisstech]

From my 330

40g breeder
After cleaning

What was removed

I'm retired so I do not have a resume.

 

[JonoH]

I set up a Fuge in my sump with a DIY baffle which the water runs down about 2 inches.

The Chaeto in the fuge grows like crazy, but I also get GHA growing over the baffle where the water runs down!

 

[UncommonSense]

This is not my photo; just my all-time favorite photo of what an ATS can be capable of! — comical amounts of algae!

 

[Miami Reef]

I'm retired so I do not have a resume.

The pictures you posted were the résumé!

 

[Miami Reef]

This is not my photo; just my all-time favorite photo of what an ATS can be capable of! — comical amounts of algae!

Beautiful!

 

[exnisstech]

The pictures you posted were the résumé!

I'd be happy to. I suppose I could just seal it in Ziplock bags and toss it in a priority mail small flat rate box. I used to ship chaeto that way and it did fine. You can DM your details. I'll be cleaning them Sunday.
I've heard the algae that grows in them is specific to each tank and won't survive in other tanks and that it won't even survive and grow in the originating DT but I have no idea if that's accurate or not.
Have you dosed any chaetogro? Mine both stopped producing well a couple of months ago and I dosed some by dumping half in the scrubber and the rest in the tanks and they took back off.

 

[Miami Reef]

I've heard the algae that grows in them is specific to each tank and won't survive in other tanks and that it won't even survive and grow in the originating DT but I have no idea if that's accurate or not.

If your algae grows best in the “surf style” scrubber, I could understand it not liking my “waterfall style.”

I would still like to try it.

Have you dosed any chaetogro?

I started dosing it last week. It’s too soon to tell, but I’ve always dosed a lot of trace elements from tropic marine and by frequent water changes. I don’t think trace elements are the limiting factor.

How many hours are you lighting yours?

 

[jonelder68]

Put some caulerpa in. Stuff grows crazy and can’t kill it . Also why’s it always green algae’s growing in scrubbers? I love my reds much better. Chaeto no more

 

[Miami Reef]

Put some caulerpa in. Stuff grows crazy and can’t kill it . Also why’s it always green algae’s growing in scrubbers? I love my reds much better. Chaeto no more

I’d take green or red over brown slime.

I’ve dealt with this for far too long.

 

[jonelder68]

Just put in a fuge! You know mine but come on! It’s a beaut! Your tangs would love it and your Anthias will love all the pods. You’ve got room for a 10 gallon or so.

 

[jonelder68]

On a serious note…why would Ulva/sea lettuce not work in a scrubber?

 

[VintageReefer]

On a serious note…why would Ulva/sea lettuce not work in a scrubber?

It does if you can contain it/get it to attach. And if the scrubber lighting isn’t too intense.

Some scrubbers have 1000 par of red led from a distance of 1” from the algae

This often will kill, bleach or burn away algae that isn’t used to being grown in these conditions

 

[KStatefan]

Following along to see your results.

 

[Miami Reef]

@exnisstech kindly offered to send me samples of several of his turf cultures from different tanks of his.

I woke up around 6 am, brainstorming how I’d attach the algae to my screen.

I initially had the idea of adding bioballs to the inside of the scrubber, raising the internal height so the algae can have access to light. It would also prevent the algae from getting flushed through the scrubber unit itself.

However, the water stream is very narrow, only passing through a thin screen; the algae wouldn’t get water unless I partially clogged the outlet, raising the water level, but at that point, it would just be a chaeto reactor.

My other idea is rubber banding the turf algae to the screen, and that’s what I’m planning on doing. It’s very simple, and the water flow will pass through the entire algae.

I will scrape the screen, removing any slick slime to allow the turf access to full adhesion.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

lol

You do make a decent point.


I would still like to see what other people are cooking up. It may or may not be used for “experimental purposes.”


On another note, can one grow Cheato in a waterfall-style algae scrubber? Maybe just remove the screen and let the water trickle over it?

I found this photo online, and it looked interesting. I’m not entirely sure how it works.

That's my product

 

[Miami Reef]

That's my product

See? I knew that scrubber looked interesting! I tend to prefer the finer things in life. lol

Of course it would have come from you; I’ve always loved your work, quality, and advice. I tried buying a scrubber from you last year. You were my first pick, but there was a health issue that stalled your production.

I’m still wishing I had your product.


Can you share how that scrubber in the photo works? Is the entire scrubber filled with water or is it a trickle system like a standard scrubber with a screen?

I’m curious if the algae is fully submerged in water.